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Visiting Rotarians: None
Guests: Maureen Pfaller (Goodwill Industries), Nicole VanNess (Traverse City Parking Administrator), Jennifer DeHaan (Grand Traverse Deputy Administrator)
Exchange Students: Victoria and Shane were with us - Shane still has tickets for dinner at Boathouse!
50/50 Raffle: Birthday girl Tammy Tarsa was our lucky winner ($30 . . . ka-CHING
Announcements:
- Salvation Army Bell Ringing report: almost $500 raised and tons of joy spread. Steve Francis also talked about Salvation Army, Pathway of hope program to help families with children out of poverty, not just with a meal or some money for rent, but to get to the root of the issue causing the poverty and work to help them solve the main problem and get them out for good! Human Needs Index was also explained, and how the Salvation Army does community needs surveys periodically to see what services are being provided, and where holes are so they can be sure they're providing services where the need is.
- Tom Krause and Lou Farrell were recognized for sponsoring new members.
- Nancy Thornton was awarded her Paul Harris Fellow +7 because she's simply amazing, and gives a TON to Rotary. (Thanks Nancy!!)
- The District Conference is April 22-24 at the Lakeshore Inn in Muskegon. The club will reimburse the $450 cost of the event if someone would like to attend.
Weekly Program:
GRAMMA DEE! The most wonderful tiny little ball of fantasticness!!! She had the audience in focused attention with her stories of love and service to the young people of Bel Air.
Dee Lynch is a grant writer and head volunteer for the Bel Air Youth Center who we provided a mini-grant to so they could purchase tablets for the program to enhance the educational programming.
Bel Air Youth Center provides after school programming for 40 elementary school students (with some on the waiting list) and 25 middle school students on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-5. It's an all volunteer organization that provides learning in cooking, etiquette, sewing, robotics, arts and crafts, band, guitar, physical activities and homework help to support academic success.
Math and reading scores have improved in the students in the program, and there have also been improvements in morale and ethical behavior as well. They are loved there, and it's working!
They have big goals! (Gramma Dee's energy and passion for this program is amazing!)
- To expand and offer programming for high school students
- Another grant to replace the horrible old sewing machines, and other outdated and breaking equipment.
- Provide field trips to see things they normally might never get to see.
- They have identified a building they want to get for the program so they can offer programming and a safe, healthy place for the kids to hang out and learn and be nurtured 6 days a week. They just need the MONEY!!!
- Looking for media exposure to aid with awareness building and fund raising.
Small but MIGHTY Gramma Dee and her grant-writing volunteer, Vic Cannella, hold a 'Thank You' card from the students who have benefited from new tablets thanks to one of our mini-grants.
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JOIN US FOR THE 2016 DISTRICT CONFERENCE!
Our Foundation is currently accepting mini-grant applications.